Vivien Sonego
Director & Company Secretary, CQ service 6 years
Bachelor of Arts and Law, University of Sydney
Former Senior Associate of Clayton Utz and 10 years in legal
practice, chiefly in litigation.
Company Secretary
Audit & Compliance Committee
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1. So Vivien, what drew you to Camp Quality, and what do
you love most about it?
I've seen how cancer robs families of all the things they
take for granted: time together, peace of mind, good
times. I love that CQ goes to the heart of this problem not in
a one-off, ad hoc way but by creating long term relationships of
support and that its mantra of optimism runs right through it.
2. What have you learnt most about yourself from your
involvement?
There is usually a better way of doing or looking at
things aside from my way.
3. What signature strengths do you bring to
CQ?
This may not please the sisterhood but although I was asked to
join the Board due to my legal background, I think what I bring of
value is a mother's perspective. My time out from the law
and working for the corporate sector has allowed me to think
of our families first. On the other hand, years of court
appearances just might mean I put their case a bit more artfully or
forcefully than most mothers!
4. What's a CQ moment you treasure?
Giggle had just begun doing the rounds of Sydney Children's
Hospital. A young child who'd not spoken since diagnosis
three months earlier, broke his silence in a conversation with
Giggle, much to his father's tears of relief.
5. What do you love to laugh about?
This year my family bought a dog, bichon frise cross Cavalier King
Charles called Donatello. My adolescent son who is a foot
taller than me, loves to get Donatello on his lap in order to rap
or air guitar together. It makes me laugh every time.
6. What are you optimistic about?
Australian philanthropy.
7. What would you say to someone considering joining the
'CQ family'?
There is room for all sorts of people and skills and CQ
can utilise them all. However, you have to believe in the
power of optimism; that it is a vital part of cancer therapy and
keeping Australian families living with cancer together.
Vivien is a lawyer but currently she is at
home raising her family!